Annual Drinking Water Report

2010 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

City of Brandon

PWS ID#: 610003

June, 2011

TheMayor, Board of Aldermen and the City of Brandon Public Works Department are pleased to present to you this year’s Annual Water Quality Report. This report is designed to inform you about the quality water and services we deliver to you every day. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water. Our wells draw from the Sparta and Cockfield formation aquifers.

Our system is required to adhere to all rules and regulations as set by the State and Federal officials.  This includes, but is not limited to, monthly bacteriological samples, routine inorganic sampling, continuous educational classes and certifications, and billing and collection.

The city currently has eight operating wells, four tanks, and one standpipe. 

We are pleased to report that our drinking water meets all federal and state requirements.

If you have any questions about this report or concerning your water utility, please contact Cathy Goolsby at 601-824-4579. We want our valued customers to be informed about their water utility. If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled meetings. They are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Brandon City Hall Board Room.

The City of Brandon routinely monitors for up to 154 constituents in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. This table shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.   As water travels over the land or underground, it can pick up substances or contaminants such as microbes, inorganic and organic chemicals, and radioactive substances.  All drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some constituents.  It’s important to remember that the presence of these constituents does not necessarily pose a health risk.

In this table you will find many terms and abbreviations which might not be familiar to you. To help better understand these terms we’ve provided the following definitions:

Action Level – the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

Treatment Technique (TT) – A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Maximum Contaminant Level – The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.  MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal – The “Goal” (MCLG) is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health.  MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Report

The City of Brandon is proud that your drinking water meets or exceeds Federal and State requirements.  We have learned through our monitoring and testing that some constituents have been detected; however the EPA has determined that your water is safe at these levels.

All sources of drinking water are subject to potential contamination by substances that are naturally occurring or manmade. These substances can be microbes, inorganic or organic chemicals and radioactive substances. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.  The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immune-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). 

Additional Information for Lead

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.  Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing.  The City of Brandon is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components.  When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.  If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested.  Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.  The Mississippi State Department of Health Public Health Laboratory offers lead testing for $10 per sample.  Please contact 601-576-7582 if you wish to have your water tested.

*****A Message form MSDH Concerning Radiological Sampling*****

In accordance with the Radionuclides Rule, all community public water supplies were required to sample quarterly for radionuclides beginning January 2007-December 2007.  Your public water supply completed sampling by the scheduled deadline; however, during an audit of the Mississippi State Department of Health Radiological Health laboratory, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suspended analyses and reporting of radiological compliance sample and results until further notice.  Although this was not the result of inaction by the public water supply, MSDH was required to issue a violation.  The Bureau of Public Water Supply is taking action to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.  If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Parker, Deputy Director, Bureau of Public Water Supply, at 601-576-7518.

Monitoring and Reporting of Compliance Data Violations

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific constituents on a monthly basis.  Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not our drinking water meets health standards.  Beginning January 1, 2004, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH required public water systems that use chlorine as a primary disinfectant to monitor/test for chlorine residuals as required by the State 1 Disinfection By-Products Rule.  Our system has completed all of these monitoring requirements and has received no compliance violations. 

Other Information:

Water Bills are due on the 28^th of each month unless noted otherwise.  Bank Draft service is available.  Your account is subject to a $5.00 late fee if payment is not received by the close of normal business hours on the due date.

Should you have any questions about the information in this report please do not hesitate to contact the City of Brandon at 601-824-4579 or visit www.cityofbrandon.net

During dry and hot weather conditions, please conserve water by not watering during high peak times between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

After-Hour and Weekend Emergencies – Call the Brandon Police Department at 601-825-7225.